GridNetworks, provider of managed Internet television delivery services, has announced that Cisco Systems has made an investment as a strategic investor in GridNetwork's first round funding. With this latest investment, GridNetworks raised a total of $9.5 million financing. GridNetworks streams television and film content with HD clarity and high-fidelity sound to a computer or a […]

Google has completed its $3.1 billion acquisition of online advertising group DoubleClick after receiving the green light from European competition authorities, setting the stage for a broader push into the online display advertising market. The clearance also increased the likelihood that a future acquisition of Yahoo by Microsoft would also pass regulatory scrutiny, since Google […]

The Ofcom chief executive, Ed Richards, has confirmed the UK regulator is to abandon plans for a “public service publisher”. He said the idea had “served its purpose” in shifting the debate on the future of public service broadcasting by emphasising the importance of digital media. It is understood that Ofcom no longer envisages recommending […]

Modern Times Group (MTG), the international entertainment broadcasting group is selling national Russian free-to-air television network 'DTV Group' to CTC Media for approximately $395 million on cash. MTG owns 39.5 per cent of CTC Media, which is Russia's largest independent television broadcaster. The transaction is subject to approval by the relevant regulatory authorities.

Co-founder of Pace Micro Technology Barry Rubery is returning to the digital TV industry by joining interactive technology provider Electra Entertainment as Chief Executive. Rubery joins Electra coinciding with the launch of its next-generation interactivity technology platform for digital terrestrial and satellite television Electra is part of General Entertainment Technology Corporation, the newly-established holding company […]

Highwinds Network Group, a multi-platform IP services and content distribution provider, has closed a $55 million round of equity financing led by General Catalyst Partners and Alta Communications. The financing will fund the infrastructure build-out of Highwinds' RollingThunder network, including a content delivery network offering. Highwinds' RollingThunder network was unveiled in conjunction with an announcement […]

France Telecom subsidiary Viaccess has agreed to acquire 100 percent of Israel’s Orca Interactive for $21.4 million. Orca Interactive, a subsidiary of telecom group Emblaze, develops software for IPTV. It has gross assets of $15.9 million and posted a net loss of $4.3 million in 2007. Emblaze said the deal is worth about 59 cents […]

Entriq, the CA / DRM company, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire DayPort, a player in video publishing, content, workflow, and syndication solutions.

Virgin Media has confirmed the appointment of Neil Berkett to the role of Chief Executive Officer with immediate effect. Berkett has been Acting Chief Executive Officer of the company since the resignation of Steve Burch in August 2007. Neil will also be joining the Board of Directors of Virgin Media. It also announced Jacques Kerrest, […]

Russia may limit foreign ownership of ISPs, broadcasters and publishing houses, extending a list of industries deemed strategic, a senior lawmaker told Reuters. Russia’s parliament is set to debate the controversial law this month amid a row between government officials and the security services over what industries should be deemed sensitive and how much to […]